Egypt, Again

How the country's turmoil resonates with a striking biblical parallel.

The front-page stories in newspapers around the world today resonate with striking biblical parallel.

The land of the pharaohs is suddenly aflame with a movement of millions crying out for freedom from the oppression of a tyrannical regime. The same Egypt that millennia ago witnessed the rebellion of the Jews against their servitude seems to be replaying the story of the book of Exodus. Freedom is the mantra of the dissidents who want to bring to an end the despotic rule of Mubarak – just as it was the driving force behind the mission of Moses who wanted to bring about a better world for his people.

In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, it's déjà vu all over again.

Of course the reality is that contemporary events are strikingly different from the Torah story. Today's revolution doesn't have the same divine source as the one in the Bible. The leadership of the rebels isn't as uniquely motivated by spiritual values as Moses and Aaron. For all we know, the overthrow of the present regime may very well prove to bring into power a worse devil, undoing Israel's peace with Egypt for the past three decades – a peace, no matter how cold it may have been, that nonetheless ensured a measure of stability and the absence of military conflict. There's a very real danger that today's movement for change, in spite of its strong democratic slogans, will simply pave the way for turning Egypt into another extremist Islamic Iran.

But there is one very crucial connection between the story of old and contemporary events. It is rooted in the reason that we Jews have been obsessed with the story of the Exodus from Egypt for thousands of years. And now that the media and the world share our obsession with the land of the Nile and the pyramids, it is very important for us to identify exactly what it was about that experience that made it the seminal moment of Jewish history.

After all, the Jewish exodus from Egypt became immortalized even far more than by serving as source for the holiday of Passover. The Haggadah quotes the Talmud which teaches us that there is a mitzvah to remember the story of our departure twice every single day, morning and night. It is featured as a highlight memory of every Friday night Kiddush. And most strikingly of all, Egypt and the Exodus made it into the very first of the 10 Commandments:

"I am the Lord your God who took you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage."

Those are the stirring opening words of the Decalogue. They link God's claim to our belief and our allegiance not to any philosophical arguments or theological proofs; we are simply commanded to obey all the laws given at Sinai because we were witness to what happened in Egypt.

And the biblical commentators were perplexed by an obvious question: Wouldn't it mean much more if God were to identify Himself first and foremost with the words I am the Lord your God who created the heavens and the earth? The fact that God liberated us from slavery was a wonderful achievement, but even human beings have been great emancipators. However only God Himself can lay claim to the role of creator. Why did the first commandment choose a seemingly lesser demonstration of divine power, the Exodus over creation, as the ultimate source deserving of bringing about mankind's acceptance of monotheism?

The powerful answer of many commentators is that the God whom we met at Sinai wanted above all to refute the heresy that denied not His existence, but His ongoing concern. Were God simply to identify himself as the One Who created the heavens and the earth, we could believe there is a divine origin to the universe but no ongoing connection that would make the Almighty relevant to our lives.

The story of our deliverance from Egypt proved that history is not happenstance, that events are not meaningless.

When He told us I am the Lord your God who took you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage, God wanted to impress upon us the idea, as Yehudah Halevi put it, that He is a God of history who maintains a personal relationship with every one of us created in His image.

And because God is a personal God who continues to care about us, about the fate of the Jewish people and the ultimate future of mankind, history becomes meaningful. It is orchestrated from Above. It has a pre-ordained destiny.

The story of our deliverance from Egypt is so very crucial because it proved to us for the first time and for all time that history is not happenstance, that events are not meaningless, that hidden beneath the often inexplicable moments that alter human destiny and the fate of empires and nations is the finger of God writing the script of the story of mankind.

The Talmud teaches us that there are two possible ways to view the events that befall us. The first is the philosophy of “there is no justice and there is no judge.” It is a heresy that adopts words like coincidence, chance or luck to explain the strange twists and turns of life, denying any link between the Creator and His creations.

The antithesis of this heresy is that history has meaning and purpose. It is not haphazard. It has a plan. It follows a divinely ordained order, decreed by God who continues to be involved in every aspect of the story of mankind.

And the word for "order" in Hebrew? It is "Seder."

That's why the most important ritual of Passover, commemorating the Exodus, is called Seder. Not because it emphasizes that there is an order, a Seder, to the meal, but because it summarizes the key message of our original Egypt experience.

Things happen for a reason. History follows a divinely decreed order. God didn't stop caring about the world after He created it. He is still deeply involved and He has a master plan for the end of days.

That's why Jews, in spite of all we've endured, remain optimistic about the future. The Egyptian experience taught us the message of the first commandment: God is a God of history who will never abandon His people or His plan for universal messianic fulfillment.

At this juncture no one can really say with certainty what will happen in Egypt today, and how much more so tomorrow. But even in the midst of all the turmoil and confusion we Jews can remind the world of the lesson Egypt was always meant to convey to us, going all the way back to Sinai: The dramatic changes of history have a divinely understood purpose. Their order, while often incomprehensible as they unfold, represent the way God chooses to bring about his ultimate design for mankind's salvation.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the contemporary story of rebellion and revolution in Egypt will be the stepping stones to another holiday like Passover that will commemorate the final redemption.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. Author of 14 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, his newest, The World From A Spiritual Perspective, is a collection of over 100 of his best Aish articles. See his website at www.benjaminblech.com.

Visitor Comments: 50

(50)
ruth housman,
February 9, 2011 8:39 AM

logic

I find it illogical to talk about a G-d that makes some things happen and not others, and it seems these articles are filled wirh this. For us Jews,G_did this, but the other side seems not to involve the hand or love of that same Divinity. Either the entire "story" is orchestrated by the Divine, OR it is not.
My G-d, has a hand in the affairs of men, meaning all mankind.
There cannot be this separation. So.. what we see going on in Egypt is part of an ongoing evolution that is a human struggle towards the elimination of oppression and IF G_d wrote this story, this involves us all, Jews and non Jews alike.

(49)
Moshe Blecher,
February 9, 2011 2:10 AM

Let's hope that...

Moshiah will come soon

(48)
Gayle,
February 7, 2011 3:21 AM

??? say waht ?????

I believe the paralell is in error. You are not looking at enslaved people crying for freedom trying to go home. You are looking at the overthrow of a government by terrorist who hate Israel. Read your Bible much closer and look at those involved. Peace to Israel.

(47)
Alan S.,
February 6, 2011 3:55 PM

Apropro joke going around the Internet:
Dear Egyptian demonstrators,
Please do not damage the pyramids. We will not rebuild.
the Jews

(46)
Naomi Rector,
February 5, 2011 10:41 PM

You are so right. All that has hapened to the jewish nation is not coincidental. God in his plan has brought everything about so as to accomplish his plan with his people (The jews.) You are his first love, his chosen people. What is happening in Egypt is all in his plan to bring the jews into his fold. My God be with you and give you strength to come through this tribulation period.

(45)
Paula Rohde,
February 5, 2011 2:23 PM

Thank you!

May God bless you for what your doing.

(44)
BH in Iowa,
February 4, 2011 4:33 AM

It isn't a fight for freedom

It's a Muslim Brotherhood coup.
The closest parallel is Iran 1979.

(43)
Joanne Mayo,
February 4, 2011 12:29 AM

Protesters in the streets of Cairo, Egypt should be careful what they wish for.

(42)
Rachel,
February 3, 2011 7:08 PM

Biblical parallel.

Excellent article. I agree with you, and believe that nothing is insignificant in world events. God knows all, sees all, and is working out His plan for the redemption of all mankind. Let us choose Life, Truth, and God's way!

(41)
Anonymous,
February 3, 2011 5:18 PM

Thanks for this wonderful artical.

This to is an wonderful artical. I too believe in God, and that he is in charge of earthly history, and has been since Adam and Eve. I also believe He knows and loves each and every one of us personally, we are his children. He does control history and will until the end days. Again thanks for the artical. Linda bergener

(40)
Dvirah,
February 3, 2011 3:57 PM

The Script

To say that everything is pre-ordained contradicts freedom of choice. I would rather say that we write the script (with our [moral] choices) and that G-d edits it (to preseve the correct eventual ending).

(39)
Sandy Burton,
February 3, 2011 2:28 AM

Thank you. this was very encouraging

Your article brought tears to my eyes as you reminded me of God's faithfulness in the past and encouragemet to expect his faithfulness in the future.

(38)
Graham Barsby,
February 2, 2011 7:26 PM

Fantastic, fabulous, a terrific article.

Nothing more to say.

(37)
Anonymous,
February 2, 2011 5:28 PM

Joseph's message

The message that Joseph tried to convey to his brothers is very similar. He wanted them to realize that he could have no animosity to his brothers for their actions, because they were unknowingly fulfilling a divine plan. Our personal lives, too, are filled with moments when we thought we were doing something for ourselves, but in retrospect, as time passes and we reflect, we can see the "finger of G-d" in these events.

(36)
Ephraim Greenburg,
February 2, 2011 3:41 PM

Re: Anon. posting #34 It has been only 65 years since the Holocaust where most of my family perished. Who am I to question Hashem as to where exactly this event fits into the whole plan of Jewish existence on this planet ? He asks us only to love and honor his plan and as a people we will be fulfilled and be forever guided with the light of hope for an eventual peace and
prosperity in our homeland. Rather than question where "He" was during specific atrocities let us thank "Him" for all of our joys.

(35)
Anonymous,
February 2, 2011 1:47 PM

So Hashem ordains it all- including the shoah?

I cannot understand how the Jewish view of G-d, as one who preordains everything- and as written by Rabbi Blech here does so for mankind's ultimate salvation- explains the Holocaust. I recently heard the Jewish view that Hashem preordains everything except where moral choice is involved. Well, that may explain how the Germans failed in *their* moral choice, but it doesn't explain why millions of Jews had to suffer and be murdered in the process. How can this be reconciled?

(34)
Ady,
February 2, 2011 12:06 PM

Thank you for your article above Rabbi, as it has given me a different prospective on the events in Egypt today and the story of old that we are never to forget.

(33)
Anonymous,
February 2, 2011 10:45 AM

Dictators thrive becuse they do not allow its citizens to keep and bear arms

In the US we have our Bill of Rights-Our "commandments"

(32)
Arthur Gukasyan,
February 2, 2011 10:44 AM

Great article

As they say, A Jew came out of Egypt, but Egypt never came out of a Jew. Great article, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

(31)
C D Goldberg,
February 2, 2011 6:55 AM

The Critical Dangers of Democracy

It must never ever be forgotten that Adolf Hitler and NAZI Party came into power in Germany in 1933 resulting in 10 000 000 being systamitically and brutally murdered by the Germans and their allies including collaberators. The next case is the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and the people there willingly replacing him with the kind of government they have today and countries like Angola and Mosambique that were given up by the Portugese in 1974 / 1975 "just like that" when Gaetano was kicked out of power by a liberal coup, resulting in poverty and hard ship for those two countries. When there is order and dicipline and respect for the rule of law, and competent people have been appointed to leadership, only then will people have real and true freedom. Churchill was appointed to take over from Chamberlain and take note of what he achieved, and yet the people back stabbed him by voting Labour into power in 1945. People simply do not know how to vote and vote for the wrong people for all the wrong reasons.

(30)
Shayna,
February 2, 2011 4:49 AM

I loved this article. I found it incredibly interesting and i feel i gained alot just from reading it. THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom.

(29)
Laura Hill,
February 2, 2011 4:17 AM

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may they prosper that love thee.
.
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
If I remember thee not;
If I set not Jerusalem Above my chiefest joy.

(28)
Anonymous,
February 2, 2011 3:10 AM

This view of G-ds personal connection to the lives of mankind through the 1st. Commandment is powerful and reassuring.

(27)
Philip Hammond,
February 1, 2011 11:24 PM

Enjoyed the article. Any article that reminds the people of Israel/Ya'acov that it was indeed HaShem who brought us out of Egypt is a "good" article. As I view the events taking place, I am also reminded how many of us are still in Egypt, in various forms and guises. Perhaps this is just another reminder of that, and if "things" play out as they may well do, then we may find ourselves having to return to Eretz Yisrael. It is time all who profess to trust, follow, believe in HaShem to put their words into action. Faith is a word losely thrown around, but it is attached to faithfulness, this is a word that creates a challenge. Are we who espouse Torah - Mashiach - HaShem truely FAITHFUL to our professed faith? Where would we rather live? - in "Egypt" meaning USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, etc. etc. or Eretz Yisrael. Just as HaShem used Pharaoh to move us out of Egypt once before, I indeed ask - Is history repeating itself.

(26)
Manaseh,
February 1, 2011 10:59 PM

It is orchestrated from Above.

Rabbi Blech
The most powerfull point you made is; 'It has a pre-ordained destiny'. Indeed failure to acknowledge the hand of G-d in these evetns is giving the human too much credence and trusting on the haphazard.
While I believe Ysroel should take every caution in readiness; I also believe that it is wise to recognise the unseen hand of Hashem

(25)
diana,
February 1, 2011 10:41 PM

Excellent impartation of God's authority and plan

Our Creator is smiling sweetly at the culmination of His plan . We just need to sit, stand and wait for the happiest day of mankind and the universe when everything will be restored.

(24)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 10:22 PM

Egypt again

Dear Rabbi,
You wrote that the uprising in Egypt is not G'd related as it was in Moses' time. The following thought passed my mind and i would be interested in your train of thinking;
If all states around Israel become Islam fundamentalistic, the threat to us will be overwhelming and only G'ds miracle could help us to fight a billion enemies. This will bring us closer to G'd and realize that we (observant and less observant Jews) are dependent on him in a way which is more obvious than for the last 3500 years. Is the development in the Middle East at the moment a precursor of a show of strength of G'd, like he organized with the hardening of the heart of Pharaoh?
I look forward to read your comment.

(23)
Ron,
February 1, 2011 8:37 PM

A secular analogy... not a theological one!

Yes, it is interesting that some 3503 yrs. later (using Archbishop Ussher's chronology)there arises a cry for a deliverance from bondage...... this current one for a period of thirty years... not 215 yrs. as it had been in the days of Moses (again using Usshers' chronology. Israel had been promised by G-d that they would inherit the land of Canaan and much of its environs, so was by His intervention that they were removed from bondage. The current oppression in Egypt is only incidental to G-d's plan and ultimate purpose for the Jew. The time remaining for Gentile authority prevailing on this earth is about to cease. The Jew has been in "bondage " for centuries, living without authority and the blessing of "self-rule" through being scattered to all four corners of the earth, Their prophets have long ago foretold of their return to the land that had been promised to their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and which beginnings we of this century have been able to observe. Remarkable events yet lie in store for both Jew and Gentile to marvel over.... as the Lord's design for man's sojourn on this earth is about to be fulfilled. What is transpiring in Egypt is part and parcel of the detailed events many of us read in Israels' Torah which outlines a special series of events for the world in which we live! Nice article!!

(22)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 8:33 PM

How about Egypt with a new government that doesn't recognize any peace treaty with Israel??
Kinda makes you wish we'd kept the Sinai instead of giving it away for a signature on a piece of paper that will probably be worthless very soon...

(21)
kevin Wisecarver,
February 1, 2011 8:30 PM

egypt,again

Dont worry Israel G-D has your back.

(20)
Graeme Smith,
February 1, 2011 8:17 PM

An exciting perspective

It is very exciting for a Gentile Christian to read that the Exodus is still highly relevant to present day Israeli thought. An inspiring article. Thank you.

(19)
Elana,
February 1, 2011 7:08 PM

Needed this

This is a great article which is also so timely for me. I have a lot going on in my life where even others have said what bad luck I seem to have. No! I refuse to accept everything that has happened to me as "luck". Yes, I feel terrible and I feel every single door seems closed to me. But maybe this is what Hashem is wanting from me right now. I must believe that even though all the doors seem closed to me, that Hashem is still in charge and He can turn things around in a minute. Maybe He will open a window.

(18)
Claudio,
February 1, 2011 6:28 PM

That's all, folks!

"God is a God of history who will never abandon His people or His plan for universal messianic fulfillment."
That's all, folks!

(17)
Noodles,
February 1, 2011 6:28 PM

The Arabs want democracy.

And just how does the Muslim Brotherhood propose to bring that about? Like Hamas and Hezbollah?

(16)
ruth housman,
February 1, 2011 6:18 PM

this uprising

If you believe God has a Divine Plan and that the story of the Exodus was part of that Divine Plan, then you have to perceive what's happening today, in Egypt, whether this results in a more oppressive regime or in true freedoms, and a Liberation of great proportions, ALSO part of the Divine Plan.
There really is no way to separate the events of history, as some but not others, involving Divinity. There is no logic that could possibly embrace this.
I deeply believe that Egypt will be a major player in the Middle East and I have written this on Aish prior to this. I see that the boundaries will need to have flex, and that there is a story, yet to be told, that will bring a new twist, to the Middle East Conflict that might just ultimately resolve in this inchoate notion, so long sought, of PEACE in the region, and prosperity for all.

(15)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 6:08 PM

Amen v Amen

(14)
Al Milgram,
February 1, 2011 5:51 PM

HaShem created man and Torah

Man was given free-will. Man's actions will lead him toward an individual and group destiny. HaShem is not directly guiding our behavior, but has told us to follow the Torah. If we do, things will be good for us and our descendents. If we do not, things will be bad for us and our children. We ourselves created the conditions for the past losses of the country of Israel. It is time for all of the Israelis to learn Torah and to try to practice Torah values.
Do not blame HaShem for the lack of unity in Israel.

(13)
Evelyn Sammut,
February 1, 2011 5:45 PM

Egypt's change is Israel's doom

The word of G-d teaches that all nations surrounding Israel will go up against Israel at the end of days! This includes Egypt! The Messiah will redeem Israel and we never have to fear of Israel's ongoing existance, due to G-d's covenant with our forefathers. However, don't believe that the new Egypt will want peace with Israel! Wherever there are Muslims, there will always be hatred for the Jewish people!

(12)
Sharon,
February 1, 2011 5:19 PM

Yes...and...no

I agree with anon. that there is no parallel between what happened to the |sraelites in Egypt and the rebellion of today! There was no rebellion then! So much of the story of redemption and the fiight from slavery to freedom emphasizes this. The slave mentality is what caused so much of the negative side of the narrative, inlciudng the 40 years of wandering! The generation born into slavery was not capable of entering the promised Land with Joshua. The whole journey from Egypt to Canaan was one of evolvement.
Today's narrative has nothing to do with this.

(11)
,
February 1, 2011 5:19 PM

Waiting for Moshiach

Wonderful article! May we merit to hasten the arrival of the redemption through acts of faith and good deeds.

(10)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 5:01 PM

everything is for the good

so we needn't worry that Islamic fundamentalism is goming next....God controls this revolution. Egypt needs the jewish prayers stronger than ever now for we too were once slaves in Egypt.

(9)
Marc Mansour,
February 1, 2011 4:53 PM

Power and mucho image

The history of the ancient world is full of gods with extraordinary powers. Each pleople of the time could cite their gods glory and miracles. All these gods are vredited with creating the world, and mankind.
Egypt at the time was the big Goliath of its day. To take it on in a challenge of power and to succeed, was the mark of a hero and a legend. God through the Israelites proved Himself as such. Thru all the history of the Israelites dealing with other people, all the other people heard and were impressed with what God did to the Egyptians. The emphasis of the Lord of Hosts riding to war in front of his people, paid a big dividents for our ancestors.
Marc Mansour

(8)
Howard Margolis,
February 1, 2011 4:27 PM

what do you think the writer means by the words "final redemption?" could it mean an end to Israel or and end to the world's hatred of Jews?
howard

(7)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 4:19 PM

Historical Egypt

As long as the protesters dont try to "migrate" into Israel

(6)
Eve,
February 1, 2011 4:01 PM

A cry for Freedom

The similarity of today's events to the Exodus story lies in the fact that Jews then and Egyptians now cry out for freedom from oppressive regimes. The difference is aptly summed up in the words of Rabbi Blech "Today's revolution doesn't have the same divine source as the one in the Bible.'

(5)
,
February 1, 2011 3:58 PM

excellent, thought provoking article that should give us all strength in our faith that there is a divine plan and we dont always see Hand of G-d, but it is there.

(4)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 3:37 PM

It is for sure!

(3)
Yehuda,
February 1, 2011 3:20 PM

Great analogy and commentary

I really liked reading this article. It articulated several good points. How G-d is a personal G-d and he is involved with our everyday affairs. Also how whatever happens in Egypt today, G-d is orchestrating history and it leading us to the final redemption.

(2)
John,
February 1, 2011 3:20 PM

God's Holy Days picture God's Plan for Mankind

We don't need another "holiday". God will bring seder!
in His time. Man must follow His "marching orders".
Thank you for a positive assessment of the present day
Egyptian cycle.

(1)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2011 1:35 PM

comment on rabbi blech article

Even though you do note that it is different, i do not see how you could in any way shape or form compare this to the slavery of the jew in Egypt. And if these people do become free let's see what they do with their freedom

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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